Access to Patient Information
All patient records are dealt with in accordance with the Data Protection Act and disclosure to a third party will only be made with the written permission of the patient or their parent or guardian in the case of children under the age of 16.
Access to information by the patient is dealt with under the Freedom Of Information Act.
We observe a non-smoking policy within the premises and follow a non-discriminatory policy with regard to our patients and staff.
Summary Care Record
There is a new Central NHS Computer System called the Summary Care Record (SCR). The Summary Care Record is meant to help emergency doctors and nurses help you when you contact them when the surgery is closed. Initially, it will contain just your medications and allergies.
Later on as the central NHS computer system develops, (known as the "Summary Care Record" - SCR), other staff who work in the NHS will be able to access it along with information from hospitals, out of hours services, and specialists letters that may be added as well.
Your information will be extracted from practices such as ours and held on central NHS databases.
As with all new systems there are pros and cons to think about. When you speak to an emergency doctor you might overlook something that is important and if they have access to your medical record it might avoid mistakes or problems, although even then, you should be asked to give your consent each time a member of NHS Staff wishes to access your record, unless you are medically unable to do so.
On the other hand, you may have strong views about sharing your personal information and wish to keep your information at the level of this practice. Connecting for Health (CfH), the government agency responsible for the Summary Care Record have agreed with doctor's leaders that new patients registering with this practice should be able to decide whether or not their information is uploaded to the Central NHS Computer System.
For existing patients it is different in that it is assumed that you want your record uploaded to the Central NHS Computer System unless you actively opt out.
For further information visit the HSCIC Website
If you choose to opt out of the scheme, then you will need to complete a form and bring it along to the surgery.
Download the opt out form >>>>
Your Information, Your Rights
Being transparent and providing accessible information to patients about how we will use your personal information is a key element of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the EU General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).
If you would like more information about your rights in respect of the above legislation you can ask our Reception staff for a copy of our Fair Processing policy or download it here. You can also find further information about GDPR at
If you would like more general information about your rights and responsibilities as a patient please ask Reception for a copy of the leaflet “It’s Your Practice” or download it here.
Access to your records
You are entitled to access your medical records and can do this on-line (via Patient Access) or you by completing a Subject Access request which you can get from Reception or you can download the Subject Access form here.
The Accessible Information Standard (NHS England)
The Accessible Information Standard is an NHS England initiative that tells organisations how to ensure that disabled patients and their carers receive information in formats that they can understand as well as receiving appropriate support to help them communicate or for more detailed information click here.
If you need assistance in this respect please speak to our Reception staff who will be happy to help.